An Indiana basketball player surprised his sister on Christmas by paying off her student loans with NIL endorsement money
AP Photo/Darron Cummings // @townl3alfam1/Twitter
- Indiana's Anthony Leal paid off his older sister's student loan debt for Christmas this year.
- Leal was able to give such a big gift thanks to the money he earned through NIL sponsorships now allowed in college sports.
- The moment, caught on video and shared over social media, captures the Christmas spirit.
Indiana junior guard Anthony Leal gave his older sister a Christmas gift she will never forget, paying off her student loan debt with the help of the endorsement money he's made in the new NIL rights era.
Video of the gift exchange was posted on social media by one of Leal's parents. In the video, Leal's sister opens a card from Anthony and begins to read it.
"You're a spark of goodness that brightens the world," the card reads. "You radiate kindness and bring happiness to so many people, especially me."
At this point, Anthony's sister Lauren makes a face at him. It is very sweet.
She continues reading.
"Hey sis, I wanted to let you know how much I look up to you and admire who you are. Your soul is beautiful and you are the best role model ever," she reads. "There is no doubt that I have made it to where I am today because of you. Someone like you deserves no burdens or restrictions in life. And I feel like the best way to help you with that is by..."
Right here, she realizes what the card means. Again, it is very sweet.
"I don't even know how much that is!" Lauren says.
"I do," replies Anthony. "It's zero now."
"Like, actually?" she asks, before continuing to read. "I feel like the best way to help with that is by paying off your student loan debt. Love little bro, Ant."
You can watch the whole exchange here.
—btown@l3alfam (@btownl3alfam1) December 25, 2022
On Twitter, fans praised Anthony for his gracious gift.
—Jake Eichstaedt (@Jake25Eich) December 27, 2022
—jennifer moore ???? (@jennaunp12) December 26, 2022
—Jim Crosby (@JimCrosby1962) December 27, 2022
Lauren thanked her brother on Twitter.
—Lauren Leal (@leallauren3) December 25, 2022
A Supreme Court ruling in June 2021 essentially ushered in a new era in college sports, allowing athletes to capitalize on their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and earn money without forfeiting NCAA eligibility. In the 18 months since, the market for college athlete endorsements has boomed as a result.
Lea, by no means a superstar for the Hoosiers, has appeared in just four games so far this year, but he's playing his third season with Indiana, and has done enough to earn an NIL deal that provided him with the chance to give a life-changing gift to his sister.
Leal's Instagram page shows that he has recently partnered with Tire Discounters and Cooper Tires on a sponsorship deal.
As people began commenting on the video of Leal's gift, he sent out a tweet explaining how it was only possible thanks to the new NIL rules.
—Anthony Leal (@anthonyl3al) December 25, 2022
Clearly, Leal is putting his money to good use.`